Sri Lanka have edge as rain halts Aussie

Pallekele, Sri Lanka: Rain and bad light forced umpires to call another early end to play in the first Test between Sri Lanka and Australia at Pallekele on Friday, with the visitors precariously placed at 83 for three in their 268-run chase.Australia require another 185 runs for victory to take the lead in the three-match series after play could not be resumed after tea on day four in a match that has already been badly hit by rain.Lanka’s frontline spinners, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perea and Lakshan Sandakan bagged a wicket each to put the Aussies in trouble before skipper Steven Smith (26 not out) steadied the ship.A superb maiden century by Kusal Mendis (176) brought Sri Lanka back into the game after the hosts lagged behind the number one Test side for the first three days.Sri Lanka, starting Friday on 282 for six, managed 353 in their second innings to turn things in their favour against firm favourites Australia.Brief Scores:Sri Lanka 117 and 353 all out in 93.4 overs (Kusal Mendis 176, Dinesh Chandimal 42; Mitchell Starc 4-84)Australia 203 and 83/3 in 27 overs (Steven Smith 26 not out, Adam Voges 9 not out; Rangana Herath 1-35, Lakshan Sandakan 1-13)’